COVER STORY: AMT-Radio with SETH JAMES(Sep-Oct 2009) Seth James is a well-known name among Americana music artists and the industry. He has played in several bands including a period of time with Ray Wylie Hubbard. Seth's previous solo work was placed more in the blues genre, but his current release, That Kind of Man, is a solidly Americana record that is generating good reviews and recognition for Seth’s songwriting and guitar work. Join us as we interview Seth and talk about the new record. Launch AMT-Radio>

INDIE ARTIST: AMT-TV with K PHILLIPS & THE CONCHO PEARLS(Sep-Oct 2009) K Phillips and The Concho Pearls, including Jeremy Menking on guitar and David Haug on bass, and, at the time of the interview, Robert Johnston on drums, are taking the Seguin/New Braunfels area by storm as the de facto house band at Dirty's Bar & Q. Come check them out as Steve Circeo captures the band live for AMT-TV in a piece that also includes interview segments with the band's leader, K Phillips. Watch AMT-TV >

CD REVIEW on AMT-Radio: Cross Canadian Ragweed - Happiness and All the Other Things(Sep-Oct 2009) Cross Canadian Ragweed’s tenth record in the band's fifteen-year history is on the streets. Happiness and All the Other Things is a classic Ragweed record that offers up songs for old and new Ragweed fans alike. It is a seminal work marking a great milestone for one of the best bands in Americana. Join Keith Howerton and Haley Forehand for an audio CD review of Happiness and All The Other Things. Launch AMT-Radio>

CD REVIEW: Kris Kristofferson - Closer To The Bone(Sep-Oct 2009) Kris Kristofferson has been astounding us with his remarkable songwriting for four decades now. Most normal people would run out of material by now. But he’s a master and masters just do not run out of material. Their minds are always clicking, their eyes are always seeing, and their ears are always hearing. They never completely stop. They may rest every now and then, but never totally stop. Such is the case of Kris Kristofferson’s latest recording, Closer to the Bone. more>

CD REVIEW: Red Rooster - Walk(Sep-Oct 2009) One of the things I hate about my job is also one of the things I love about my job. Please don’t misunderstand. Everyone who sends me something they have recorded has earned, if nothing else, my respect. They have worked hard to achieve what they have done. If I don’t give it a good review, it shouldn’t be taken personally. However, every now and then I receive something magical. more>

COVER STORY: AMT-TV with RADNEY FOSTER
(August 2009) Radney Foster is revered in the music community as a lyricist. Just look at the folks who have covered his songs — Hootie and the Blowfish, The Pistoleros, The Dixie Chicks, Guy Clark — and you know Radney has widespread respect. As part of the duo Foster and Lloyd in the late 1980s, he became one of the first acts to be played simultaneously on Country and College radio. Foster and Lloyd’s “Crazy Over You,” went straight to number one, making them the first duo in history to top the charts with their debut single. When the duo split up, Foster recorded two solo albums that yielded a handful of hits and a reputation as one of Nashville’s best kept secrets. His songs, like “Nobody Wins” and “A Fine Line” had a lyrical edge and pop sensibilities that often challenged mainstream Country conventions. Join Keith Howerton in a quick sitdown with Radney to discuss his new record Revival. Watch AMT-TV >

INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: AMT-TV WITH PORTERDAVIS(August 2009) Porterdavis is not your run-of-the-mill blues trio. With just three musicians, a wide variety of influences from Townes Van Zandt to Muddy Waters to James Brown, and a collective imagination that transcends their individual musical prowess, porterdavis dishes up truly original roots music. Underneath the expressive lyrics and the smooth three-part harmonies is a band that was founded on a deep appreciation for the musicians who have paved the way for them. Porterdavis is Dan Barrett on slide electric, acoustic, and lead vocals; Simon Wallace on Chicago-style blues harp; and Mike Meadows on a unique set of percussion instruments from around the world. Take a look at this month's Indie Artist Video to find out more about this up-and-coming Americana trio and see live footage of them performing at Gruene Hall. Watch AMT-TV >

CD REVIEWS: Americana Music Times CD Firepower!(August 2009) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we want to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so if you're interested in our thoughts, you should read the AMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by Sam Baker, BettySoo, and The Boxmasters. Read Americana Music Reviews >

COVER STORY: AMT-TV with THE PEAR RATZ(July 2009) The Pear Ratz have a high energy, in-your-face show that is causing their already large fan base to spread across Texas and other parts of the U.S., as well as internationally. Catch a Pear Ratz show and be ready to party as they will rock all night with their unique sound. Join us for this month's cover story AMT-TV as The Ratz sitz down with Keith Howerton to discuss their upcoming album, their new guitar player, and more, then watch the twenty minutes of live footage we caught at a recent Sam's Burger Joint performance! Watch AMT-TV >

INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: AMT-TV with A.J. Downing(July 2009) A.J. Downing worked around Michigan long enough to gather a few bucks to head south for Nashville. Humbled by the caliber of talent he found there, A.J. spent the better part of the next year going out to clubs, watching and taking notes in the shadows. The anxiety he was suffering from the meth withdrawal would let him do nothing more. He eventually headed back north, bought a house and followed his dad's path into the electrical field. He didn’t touch his guitar for a coupla years, but he's back into the music now and living in Wimberley. Find out more about A.J. in this month's Indie Artist of the Month edition of AMT-TV. Watch AMT-TV >

CD REVIEWS: Americana Music Times CD Firepower!(July 2009) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we want to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so if you're interested in our thoughts, you should read the AMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by Wilco, Brian Ledford, Tom Catmull and the Clerics, and Cutaway Crossing. Read Americana Music Reviews >

COVER STORY: AMT-TV with JARROD BIRMINGHAM(June 2009) “I believe country music should reflect the common people,” says Jarrod Birmingham. “That’s pretty much my mission statement, to stay grounded in the knowledge that I‘m a blue collar individual, a country boy. There are a lot of people out there like me, and I’d like to be their voice.” Join us for this month's cover story AMT-TV as Jarrod sits down with Keith Howerton to discuss his new album, visiting the troops, and more, then watch the twenty minutes of live footage we caught at a recent Sam's Burger Joint performance! Watch AMT-TV >

INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: AMT-TV with South Texas Destroyers(June 2009) James Pardo's eighteen years of experience as a singer/songwriter helped him develop a unique voice. Will Owen-Gage has been playing guitar since before he was able to walk. Add to them a solid backbone of Henry Macias on bass and Ed Gough on drums, and you have a mostly undiscovered country-blues band called South Texas Destroyers. Steve Circeo rolled the camera as James and Will discussed the band, their future, playing Gruene Hall, and he also captured them live at Floore's. Watch AMT-TV >

CD REVIEW: Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses - Roadhouse Sun(June 2009) It’s been more than a year and a half since the release of Mescalito, the first major-label album for 28 year old singer-song writer Ryan Bingham and just over a year since I caught up with him in Luckenbach, TX to talk about the road, Joe Ely and Patty Griffin, and the hardships and substance abuse that tore apart his family, and led him to a life on the road in the rodeo circuit, and eventually to his passion and calling-playing guitar. Read the review >

CD REVIEWS: Americana Music Times CD Firepower!(June 2009) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we want to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so if you're interested in our thoughts, you should read the AMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by Gordie Tentrees, Slaid Cleaves, Patty Finney, Michael K. Burke and the Honkytonk Witchdoctors, The Tom Houston Orchestra, Tom Gillam and Tractor Pull, Curtis Salgado, Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise, Cedric Burnside and Lightnin' Malcolm, Goodbye to Pretty, Jason Ricci and New Blood, Yarn, Ted Russell Kamp and Paul Wesley. Read Americana Music Reviews >

COVER STORY: AMT-TV with CHRIS KNIGHT(Apr/May 2009) Ten years and five acclaimed albums into one of the most uncompromising careers in American music, Chris Knight is an accomplished singer/songwriter whose work has been compared to Prine, Cash, and Nebraska-era Springsteen. He is a man of few words, but those words are powerful. Tune in to this month's cover story on AMT-TV, as Americana Music Times Editor-in-Chief Keith Howerton sits down with Chris to to discuss music, the new record, God, and more. more >

INDIE ARTIST: AMT-TV with Laura Marie(Apr/May 2009) Laura Marie was born in and raised in San Antonio, where she performed and recorded with local bands Sofa Kingdom and Things Between. She's out on her own now, amazing audiences all over with her beautiful voice and accomplished songwriting. Join us for this episode of AMT-TV as Laura discusses her take on the San Antonio music scene, songwriting, working with Grammy-nominated producer Mack Damon, and more. See snippets of live performances too! more >

CD REVIEWS: Americana Music Times CD Firepower!(Apr/May 2009) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we want to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so if you're interested in our thoughts, you should read the AMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by David Lutes, Gordie Tentrees, Stephanie Briggs, Mark Jungers & The Whistling Mules, Michelle Malone, and Bonny Holmes. more >

COVER STORY: AMT-TV with ZACK WALTHER & THE CRONKITES(Mar 2009) Zack Walther is a veteran on the Texas Music scene, having spent five years in the critically acclaimed Rodger Wilko (which was co-fronted by indie rocker Stephanie Briggs) and the past few with his current band, Zack Walther & The Cronkites. Their 2007 live record, Live at Tavern in The Gruene, established ZWC as a force to be reckoned with. Their studio album, Ambition, has just hit the street, and Zack sat down with Keith Howerton recently to discuss his life in the music business, the new album, the philosophy that drives the ZWC live shows, and more. Plus, we have some live footage for you to enjoy. more >

INDIE ARTIST: AMT-TV with Javi Garcia & The Cold Cold Ground(Mar 2009) Javi Garcia has been making waves with his brand of rock-n-country-n-americana, so Steve Circeo travelled up to New Braunfels to capture Javi on camera speaking his mind about the Texas Music scene, as well as his thoughts on songwriting and the process that led to the production of his upcoming release, Madly In Anger. Javi Garcia has something to say, and he says it here in this video interview, cut in with several live songs. more >

AMT-TV: Ryan Bingham, Adam Hood, and Jason Eady Songswap(Mar 2009) When Ryan Bingham, Adam Hood, and Jason Easy came together for a songswap at Austin's The Parish Room on March 1, 2009, we were pretty sure we were in for something special, so Keith Howerton took his video camera and audio recorder and captured a bit of the show. The boys did not disappoint and the show, sponsored by Gallywinter.com, was a great success. Check out some of the action with this edition of AMT-TV. more >

Miss Leslie and Her Juke-Jointers: Classic. Real. Country.(Mar 2009) Leslie Anne Sloan, also known as Miss Leslie, a fiddle player extraordinaire from Houston, Texas and leader of Miss Leslie and Her Juke-Jointers, is on a twofold mission: first, to put the “real” back into real country music, and second, to bring that music to the masses, one fan at a time. And to accomplish her goal, she has grabbed the traditional music business model and pulverized it, smashed it, and broken it into a million pieces. Her idea is simple. Instead of selling her latest release, Between the Whiskey and the Wine, she’s decided to give it away. For free. At no cost to the listener. Yes, really. more >

Tyler Bryant: A Six-String Love Affair(Mar 2009) Tyler Bryant is in the middle of a passionate relationship. It’s all-consuming. It gives meaning to his life. It brings joy and hope to his everyday existence. Tyler Bryant is in love… with his guitar. Seriously, Tyler is never far away from his shell-pink 1960
replica Stratocaster. He refers to
it as an attachment of his body. A
creation of the folks at Fender, it was built to his personal specifications,
complete with the wear and tear the instrument would have endured after 49
years of string-bending.more >

CD REVIEWS: Americana Music Times CD Firepower!(Mar 2009) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we want to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so if you're interested in our thoughts, you should read the AMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Bill Evans & Megan Lynch, Laura Marie, David Grissom, James Dunn, Zack Walther & The Cronkites, Mike Zito, Bo Cox, D.C. Bloom. more >

COVER STORY: AMT-Radio with PAT GREEN(Feb 2009) Pat Green has a new record out, titled What I'm For, and the first single from that album, "Let Me," is already at the top of the charts. Join Americana Music Times editor Keith Howerton as he talks with Pat about the new record, songwriting, and the music business in general. You can also hear some of the new songs right here in this cover story AMT-Radio segment. more >

Jack Ingram Brings It to the San Antonio Rodeo and Stock Show(Feb 2009) With all of Jack Ingram’s success in the recent years, in the city of San Antonio his true star has arrived. Ingram is a veteran of the music touring circuit in Texas and has been playing for years. His national recognition, which was spurred by mainstream country radio and numerous appearances on TV on stations GAC and CMT, is a recent accomplishment of the past 3 or 4 years. more >

INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Back Porch Mary(Feb 2009) “If you miss these road dogs when they come to town, you’re an asshole.” Well, that pretty much says it all. Yep, leave it up to Cody Braun from Reckless Kelly to provide us with an unvarnished opinion of the musical force that is Austin’s very own Back Porch Mary. Some folks call their music “high octane alt-country”, but no matter. The quartet simply calls it rock ‘n roll. more >

Live at Blaine’s with the Kyle Bennett Band(Feb 2009) Americana Music Times is live at Blaine’s Pub, tonight in San Angelo, Texas talking with the guys of the Kyle Bennett Band, the guys have been gracious enough to talk with us a little bit before their show tonight, and how is everyone going this evening? Fantastic.... Glorious.... Wonderful.... Fabulous! [all laughing] Sounds like this is going to be a fun interview. more >

Bo Porter: The Honkytonk Man(Feb 2009) The honky-tonk man, long and lean, stood before me with a guitar slung high upon his chest. He was clad in a black pearl-snap shirt with the tips of black steel-toe boots peeking out from beneath cuffed dark jeans. His long hair was pulled back in a tight braid from a lightly-lined tanned face with smiling green eyes. Then, the honky-tonk man spoke. "Hi," the man said, "I’m Bo Porter." more >

MusicFest 2009: Party in the Rockies(Feb 2009) The most difficult thing about the annual phenomenon that is MusicFest is the simulation back
into normal everyday life. That is not to say that a week’s worth of mountain crushing, ringing
eardrums, and the consumption of enough Wild Turkey 101 to kill a small south African village
doesn’t take it’s toll on one’s mind and body. Nay, those are fleeting things. The truth is,
MusicFest, for better or worse, will change your life. more >

Behind the Scenes with Johnny Cooper(Feb 2009) Johnny Cooper is no ordinary 20 year old...he’s no ordinary musician, for that matter. Beginning his musical career at the age of 15, performing at Blaine Martin’s Concho River festival in San Angelo, TX, Johnny has become an incredible success and youthful phenomenon on the Americana and Texas music scene. Johnny has already released two albums, one of which, Live at The Pub, earned him “Best Live CD of the Year” in 2006. more >

CD REVIEWS: Americana Music Times CD Firepower!(Feb 2009) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we want to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so if you're interested in our thoughts, you should read the AMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by Chris Knight, The Killdares, David Fenley, Bourgeois Gyspsies, Byron Hill, Voices of a Grateful Nation, and a tribute to Robert Earl Keen. more >

COVER STORY: AMT-TV with OWEN TEMPLE(Jan 2009) Owen Temple is one of the founding fathers of the Texas version of Americana music. A few years ago when this new brand of Texas country was starting to make regional and national waves, it was Pat Green, Cory Morrow, and Owen Temple. He is a veteran with great records and is still making great music and performing great shows. Join our editor, Keith Howerton, as he and Owen talk about his music, the music business, and life in general as our January 2009 cover story. more >

INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: AMT-TV with CHARLIE SHAFTER(Jan 2009) Charlie Shafter is causing quite a stir in West Texas and all over the Americana world with his skilled songwriting and smooth vocal style. His sound and band are fresh and different with a primary focus on the rock and alternative side of Americana. Take a look at our interview with Charlie and some live video as we feature Charlie Shafter as our indie artist of the month. more >

The Top Ten Albums of 2008 That No One Told You About(Jan 2009) Listen to our audio report by Americana music critic Steve Circeo to hear his selections as the best albums of last year that you may never have heard. This year's list includes Rodney Parker & Fifty Peso Reward, Emory Quinn, Shurman, The Dedringers, Glambilly, Eric Hisaw, Walter Hyatt, Scurvy Otto & the Rickets, Charlie Shafter Band, and Rebel Red. The exclusive audio report also features music by Denice Franke and Mike Blackwell. more >

Passion on Pavement: Behind the Wheel with Cody Canada(Jan 2009) Cody Canada is laughing out loud. Walking down Beale Street in Memphis, he just experienced an Elvis sighting, only this time the King of Rock ‘n Roll was alive in the form of a childhood friend from his hometown in Oklahoma. Seriously. “I can’t believe I still recognized him after 16 years”, he grins over the phone, “His name is Brian Dunning, and I haven’t seen him since we went to high school together in Yukon. He went out to Vegas and made a ton of money as an Elvis impersonator. He was the young Elvis, not the dead-on-the-toilet version. Sorry I had to stop the interview, but I just wanted to go up and introduce myself.” more >

Robert Earl Keen: Marfa After Dark(Jan 2009) In January 2008 Robert and his band recorded a show in the west Texas Town of Marfa. The project, called Marfa after Dark, is available free at the REK website. In addition, Robert and his management have authorized us to provide you a platform to listen to the show here. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did as Robert tells stories while bringing us his great Americana classics. more >

CD REVIEWS: Americana Music Times CD Firepower!(Jan 2009) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we want to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so if you're interested in our thoughts, you should read the AMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by Fingerpistol, The Refugees, and James Michael Taylor. more >

COVER STORY: AMT-TV with ROGER CLYNE AND THE PEACEMAKERS(Nov/Dec 2008) Roger Clyne is one of the top selling independent rock and Americana artists in the country. He has sold out shows all over the US and is especially popular in his home state of Arizona and the southwestern US. Every spring he hosts a pilgrimage to Rocky Point, Mexico, called "Circus Mexicas" that is attended by thousands of fans. Join Americana Music Times editor Keith Howerton as we speak with Roger Clyne about music, his days with the Refreshments, and the world in general. more >

INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: AMT-TV with RUBY DEE, JORGE HARADA(Nov/Dec 2008) Ruby Dee and The Snake Handlers are one of the most well-known Rock-a-Billy acts in the country. They tour everywhere in the country and are often found at favored Rock-a-Billy haunts all along the west coast of the US. In the Rock-a-Billy world they are one of the standards that many bands are measured by. Join us as we talk with Ruby and Jorge about what they have going on and possible big changes in geography for them in the near future. more >

The Deadstring Brothers: Catching the Americana Wave in the UK(Nov/Dec 2008) The Deadstring Brothers are a curious hybrid – part out of Detroit USA, part out of Romford UK. Formed in 2003 by Kurt Marschke, their internet bio compares them to Exile-On-Mainstreet era Stones and describes them as having a menacing sound that draws equally on the melancholy of country ballads and the abandon of rock and blues. more >

CD REVIEW: Wade Bowen - If We Ever Make It Home(Nov/Dec 2008) All too often entertainment writers write reviews without considering scope and context. That means they don’t look beyond the current CD and only write about it by itself instead of within the context of other CDs in the artist’s library or compared to other artists. This approach keeps the writer from making what may be considered unfair comparisons, but it is really a coward’s way of critically reviewing the record. It also keeps the writer from making comparison statements like the CD is better or worse than previous records. Again, it is a coward’s way of commenting on a collection of music. more >

CD REVIEW: Zack Walther and the Cronkites - Ambition(Nov/Dec 2008) Texas music fans eagerly awaiting Zack Walther and the Cronkites' new CD, Ambition, will not be disappointed. Zack Walther and the Cronkites have definitely left their mark on the central Texas music scene. Fans have witnessed the Cronkites' Texas rock sound, that can take you from a beautifully written love song with a perfect southern harmony to standing on tables turning Cronkite originals such as the new "Money Tree" into crowd favorites. more >

CD REVIEWS: Americana Music Times CD Firepower!(Nov/Dec 2008) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we want to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so if you're interested in our thoughts, you should read the AMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by Walter Hyatt, Doyle Bramhall, Two Fingers of Firewater, The Duhks, Honeybrowne, Waylon Jennings and the 357s, South Texas Destroyers, Rich O'Toole, and Eli Young Band. more >

COVER STORY: AMT-TV with MICKY AND THE MOTORCARS(October 2008) Micky and Gary Braun of Micky and the Motorcars are more than just the younger siblings of the guys from Reckless Kelly; they are an Ameriana music force all their own. Their new record, Naive, is out and getting airplay across the country. Join Americana Music Times editor-in-chief Keith Howerton in Austin, Texas, as he talks with Gary and Micky about what went into creating Naive, what it means to have such popular musical brothers, and what's next for Micky and the Motorcars. more >

INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: AMT-TV with Eric Hisaw(October 2008) Eric Hisaw is, simply put, one of the best songwriters in Texas. He continues to blow away fans and critics alike with his latest release, Nature of the Blues, which came out in August of this year. We caught up with Eric after one of his regular gigs on the patio at Sam's Burger Joint in San Antonio, Texas, to discuss the new CD and find out how things are going in general. more >

AMT-TV: Bleu Edmondson(October 2008) Americana Music Times editor-in-chief Keith Howerton finally managed to track down Bleu Edmondson up in New Braunfels at River Road Icehouse. Check out the interview to find out more about what's behind the songs on Bleu's latest CD Lost Boy. Bleu also discusses the rigors of life on the road and the unglamorous reality of being in a hard-working rock band. more >

Granger Smith: “Livin’ Like a Lonestar,” Wherever the Road May Lead(October 2008) Who in their right mind would want to be colorblind? Just ask 29 year-old Granger Smith, singer/songwriter, who thinks it would greatly help his memory problems. “Colorblind,” currently climbing the Texas Music Charts in the top 20 singles, is the latest hit from his 2006 Livin’ Like a Lonestar album. The smooth, intoxicating melody of “Colorblind” whisks you away into Smith’s memory which holds green eyes, blonde hair, the color of her lips, and his desire to be colorblind. more >

MUSIC VIDEO: Band of Heathens - "Heart on my Sleeve"(October 2008) The hottest band in Texas, The Band of Heathens, played a show at Sam's Burger Joint at the end of August. We asked Steve Circeo and Peter Bowman of Strange Light Productions if they'd mind trying to shoot a live video of The Heathens' latest single, "Heart on my Sleeve," using only available light. The result is a pretty cool mix of camera angles that captures the exciting — and sometimes frenetic — vibe that permeates every Heathens show. more >

CD REVIEW: Randy Rogers Band - Randy Rogers Band(October 2008) The fifth and self-titled installment from the band that has set the standard for great music and great records in the “Texas scene” will undoubtedly move them into the mainstream of country music. The self-titling is standard for record labels as a ploy to introduce a band to the mainstream country world that thousands of fans in the band's region already know. The CD has debuted on the billboard charts at number 3 in its first week of release selling 17,000 units and becoming number 1 sales spot on iTunes.more >

CD REVIEW: Shurman - Waiting For The Sunset(October 2008) There is a school of thought in the music industry that you should make studio albums that are radio-friendly versions of your songs, then go balls out during the live show. This approach yields some pretty damn boring studio music from bands with great live shows, resulting in disappointment as you slide into your CD player that new album you just bought from this exciting new band you’ve discovered.
Happily, Aaron Beavers and his California-based band Shurman don’t subscribe to that school of thought. more >

CD REVIEWS: Americana Music Times CD Firepower!(October 2008) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we want to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so if you're interested in our thoughts, you should read the AMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by David Olney & Sergio Webb, Greta Gaines, Robyn Ludwick, The Nadas, and Luke Olson. more >

COVER STORY: TMT-TV with RECKLESS KELLY(September 2008) With a recent Americana Music Chart number 1 record for their new CD Bulletproof, Reckless Kelly is touring everywhere to support the record and take the new songs directly to the fans. They continue to be a huge fan favorite in Americana and Texas music and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Recently the band took the time to talk with Texas Music Times about the making of Bulletproof and other happenings with the band and the tour. more >

TMT-TV: INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Clay McClinton(September 2008) Clay McClinton has a famous Texas and Americana music father but he will never be in Delbert’s shadow. Upon recently moving back to Austin from a few years in Nashville, Clay is touring in Texas and bringing his style of country blues to the dancehalls and clubs. In a very short time since moving back to Texas, Clay has become one of the more popular touring artists in Texas. Clay recently took some time to talk to us about what he has going on. more >

Thirty Minutes with a Texas Troubadour: Brandon Rhyder(September 2008) Of all of the brains that I might get the opportunity to pick in this business, there are very few souls who I have found more intriguing than Brandon Rhyder. To say that he didn’t let me down in my preconceived ideas of the man before I has the great privilege of sitting across the table from him discussing why he loves this music, how he deals with fatherhood and the road, and what it is like to truly be a country boy at heart would be a gross understatement. more >

CD REVIEW: The Dedringers - Sweetheart Of The Neighborhood(September 2008) Sweetheart Of The Neighborhood is one of this year's great records. If you can listen to the songs "Sideman's Blues" or "Institution" without singing along, then you have more self-control than I do. The songwriting, shared by Faires and Burke, is tight, and the vocal performances, also shared by Faires and Burke, are edgily appropriate. more >

CD REVIEW: Brandon Rhyder - Every Night(September 2008) Brandon Rhyder is a musician's musician. His sincerity and believability both on and off the stage put him into a category apart from so many of his counterparts. Relatively young in his musical life span, he performs and creates in a way that is truly accepted and genuine in its nature. When he handed me a copy of Every Night after an interview just twelve short days before its release date, I sincerely hoped that I would hear it with as much enthusiasm as he showed talking about it with me, and I wasn’t disappointed. more >

CD REVIEWS: Texas Music Times CD Firepower!(September 2008) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we want to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so read the TMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by Mike McClure Band, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Cory Morrow, Daniel Adami, Eric Hisaw, Calhoun, The Gourds, Jason Allen, Stone Coyotes, Mic Harrison, and Red Elvises. more >

COVER STORY: TMT-TV with EMORY QUINN(August 2008) Emory Quinn is nothing but pure fun. They are not only extremely talented players of several instruments each, but they also are capable of crafting an evolving sound in each tune that is distinct, but different in a way that sets the trend and does not follow it. Their music is a collection of cool grooving songs that are not country, not pop, and not Americana, but all three at the same time. Emory Quinn is their own sound that can effortlessly cross the mainstream lines in the same CD with ease. If Emory Quinn could be explained in one word, it would be versatility. Check out our TMT-TV interview with the members of Emory Quinn. more >

TMT-TV: INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Brison Bursey(August 2008) Brison Bursey is a “Young Gun” from Huntsville, Texas. He is currently touring with one of the hottest young bands around and promoting his record Bigger Sky, which was produced by Austin musician and producer Keith Davis. The album includes some great names in Texas music as additional musicians. Check out our TMT-TV interview with Brison Bursey. more >

TMT-Radio: Chris Berardo(August 2008) Chris Berardo and the DesBerardos are a talented and hardworking Americana band from Connecticut. They tour across the country and try to come through Texas whenever possible. Be sure the catch them at Sam's Burger Joint on August 15, 2008, when they will open for the Asylum Street Spankers. Listen to Chris talk about the band and the Americana music scene in the northeast on TMT-Radio! more >

CD REVIEW: Micky and the Motorcars - Naive(August 2008) A polished, incredible record, the time and effort lent to this trip to the studio does not go unnoticed. About recording Naive, lead vocalist Micky Braun says of the band’s previous studio experiences that “if a good gig came up, we had to leave the studio.” Now with ample preparation and the luxury of extra time, the band was able to work the record until it was perfect. Braun says, "We did a lot of rehearsal, working up different arrangements and trying to figure out the right way to play them. ” more >

CD REVIEW: Emory Quinn - The Road Company(August 2008) Emory Quinn’s second studio album, The Road Company, is an exceptional collection of works so multi-dimensional that it’s impossible to give it a single musical genre label. From love songs and clever lyrics to an almost “Floyd-esque” guitar riff in the sixth track “Blue Gone” the evidence of the group’s array of musical influences, ranging from Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray, to Widespread Panic, The Band, James McMurtry, and even our very own Mr. Ryan Bingham is easily apparent. The Road Company is a compilation of twelve tracks, eleven of which lead vocalist Clint Bracher wrote.more >

CD REVIEW: Mike Blackwell - Come Back To Me(August 2008) A debut album this powerful doesn't come along very often, probably even less often from a folkie like Arkansas-resident Mike Blackwell. But Come Back To Me hits all the right notes. Much of the credit probably should go to producer Emily Kaitz, who seemed to know the perfect treatment for each song, but the melodies that Blackwell created certainly made Kaitz's job that much easier. It's a stirring album of beautiful songs that will break your heart and give you hope at the same time. more >

CD REVIEWS: Texas Music Times CD Firepower!(August 2008) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you (and sometimes warn you) about them all, but we wanted to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so we have a monthly TMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by Susan Gibson, Guy Forsyth, Johns Guns, The Boxmasters, and Joel Melton. more >